KF-21 Boramae | The Most Advanced Fighter Jet In Its Class

The length of the KF-21 reaches 55 feet or 16.7 meters with a wingspan of 10.6 meters. The wingspan is slightly longer than the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, but smaller than the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F-22 Raptor.

The KF-21 also has 10 external hardpoints for carrying weapons, sensor pods and fuel. The minimum weight of the KF-21 when launched can reach 17 thousand pounds or around 7,700 kg, while the maximum weight reaches 56,400 pounds or 25 thousand kg.

Furthermore, the KF-21 is equipped with BAE's Meteor air to-air missile and Saab/MBDA Taurus missile. Apart from that, the KF-21 is also armed with the M61 20-millimeter gatling gun from General Electric.

In terms of engines, the KF-21 Boramae is powered by a General Electric F414 engine, the same engine as mAccording to KAI, the KF-21 Boramae can reach a maximum speed of 22 thousand km per hour or around Mach 2.

KAI also embedded a sophisticated electrical system in the KF-21 as well as a radar capable of detecting air threats and infrared search. There is also a tracking system that can detect opponents secretly at close range along with an electrical optical system that can detect enemies on the ground.

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration says the KF-21 will be integrated with its weapons in 2026. Flight tests will be completed in 2028 before being ready for combat in 2032. The plan is that South Korea targets producing 40 KF-21s in 2028 and increasing to 120 in 2032.